---
user-invocable: true
name: one-on-one-prep
description: Prepare for 1:1 meetings with direct reports using past transcripts and context
tokens: ~400
cloud-ok: true
---

# 1:1 Prep
#claudeai

## When to Use
You have a 1:1 coming up and want to make it count instead of winging it.

## What I Need
- Who is the 1:1 with?
- When is it?
- Any specific concerns or topics?
- Access to: calendar (for context), past 1:1 transcripts, task/project system

## What I'll Pull Together

### From Past Transcripts
- Open action items (theirs and yours)
- Topics that were "parking lot'd" or deferred
- Recurring themes or concerns
- Commitments made
- Progress on previous goals

### From Calendar/Context
- What they've been working on
- Meetings they've been in
- Upcoming deadlines or milestones

### From You
- Feedback you need to give
- Questions you need answers to
- Decisions needing their input
- Recognition or appreciation due

## 1:1 Structure That Works

**Total time:** 30-60 minutes

| Block | Time | Purpose |
|-------|------|---------|
| Their topics | 50% | What's on their mind |
| Your topics | 30% | Feedback, questions, info |
| Career/growth | 20% | Development, not just tasks |

**The ratio matters:** This is their meeting. You already get their time all week.

## Prep Template

```
## 1:1 Prep: [Name] - [Date]

**Last 1:1:** [Date]

### Open Items from Last Time
- [ ] [Action item - owner]
- [ ] [Action item - owner]
- [ ] [Parked topic to revisit]

### Their Recent Context
- Working on: [Projects/tasks]
- Upcoming: [Deadlines, milestones]
- Recent wins: [Celebrate these]
- Potential stress: [What might be hard right now]

### Their Likely Topics
Based on patterns and current work:
1. [Likely topic]
2. [Likely topic]

### Your Topics
**Must cover:**
- [ ] [Topic - why it matters]

**If time:**
- [ ] [Topic]

### Feedback to Give
**Positive:** [Specific recognition]
**Constructive:** [Specific, actionable feedback]

### Questions to Ask
1. [Question]
2. [Question]
3. "What's one thing I could do differently to help you?"

### Career Check-In
- Last discussed: [Topic/date]
- Follow up on: [Previous career conversation]

### Notes from This 1:1
[Fill in during/after meeting]

### Action Items
- [ ] [New action - owner - due date]
```

## Great 1:1 Questions

**Opening:**
- "What's top of mind for you?"
- "How are you feeling about work this week?"

**Project/work:**
- "What's blocking you right now?"
- "What would make your job easier?"
- "What should I know that I might not?"

**Growth:**
- "What skill do you want to develop?"
- "What part of your job do you want to do more of? Less of?"
- "Where do you want to be in a year?"

**Relationship:**
- "What feedback do you have for me?"
- "Is there anything I'm doing that's not helpful?"
- "What could I do differently?"

**Closing:**
- "What's the one thing you need from me before our next 1:1?"

## Anti-Patterns

| Don't | Why | Instead |
|-------|-----|---------|
| Status updates only | Waste of 1:1 time | Do status async |
| All your topics | It's their meeting | Let them lead |
| Skip when busy | Sends bad signal | Reschedule, don't cancel |
| No follow-through | Breaks trust | Track and complete action items |
| Same questions every time | Becomes rote | Mix it up |

## Output Format

```
## 1:1 Brief: [Name] - [Date/Time]

**Quick Context:**
[2-3 sentences on what's happening for them]

**Open Items:**
- [From last time]

**Your Agenda:**
1. [Must cover]
2. [If time]

**Suggested Questions:**
- [Tailored to their situation]

**Recognition:**
- [Specific thing to appreciate]

**Watch For:**
- [Potential concern based on patterns]
```

## After the 1:1

- [ ] Update transcript/notes
- [ ] Log action items with owners and dates
- [ ] Send follow-up if promised
- [ ] Calendar any commitments